If this is your first visit, be sure to
check out the FAQ by clicking the
link above. You may have to register
before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages,
select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below.

Greenlandic minister Vivian Motzfeldt, whose remit includes foreign affairs, has completed a round of meetings with representatives of EU institutions, including a meeting with Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier.

According to the government of Greenland, the purpose of the meeting was to draw attention to Greenland's interests in relation to Brexit. In addition, the intention is to share information on current conditions in Greenland, as well as a general update on the EU’s work in Brexit.

‘When Britain is no longer an EU Member State, and if Britain leaves the EU's internal market, Greenlandic fishery products coming into Britain could be met with import duties and veterinary checks,’ Vivian Motzfeldt pointed out during the meeting.

‘This could hit the industry in Greenland hard. In particular, it is likely that this would reduce import prices for Greenland shrimp and cod before customs. Greenland therefore has an interest in maintaining good commercial access to the UK market after Brexit. For this reason, the government of Greenland wants the EU to be aware that negotiation results are of major importance to Greenland,’ she said, and commented that although Michel Barnier could not guarantee that Greenland's interests will be reflected in a final negotiation result, he has a clear understanding of Greenland's situation.

During the meeting, it was also acknowledged that there is good cooperation between Greenland and the EU in the fisheries sector and there is generally a good political dialogue between the parties.

Flags and wheelhouse stickers distributed to fishing ports across the UK are delivering the fishing industry’s message to the Government and politicians as the UK/EU withdrawal negotiations edge towards a critical stage.

By flying the No Sell-Out flags, thousands of vessels, in dozens of ports around the coast, urge the UK negotiators to stand firm against the EU’s pressure to keep the status quo on access for their fleets and the current unfair quota shares.

‘As you will already be aware, we are exerting a huge effort to secure the best outcomes for the UK fishing industry, as the UK leaves the EU,’ said Cornish fisherman and NFFO Chairman Andrew Pascoe.

‘Meetings have been held and assurances received from the Prime Minister, as well as secretaries of state at Defra and Dexeu, that the UK will become an independent coastal state outside the Common Fisheries Policy, as the UK leaves the EU.’

He said that there is no doubt the EU is resisting this strongly, seeking to tie the UK to the current access arrangements and quota shares.

‘It is extremely important that the UK Government stands firm on fishing. To that end we have met with all the main political editors and held a very successful lobby day in Parliament attended by around 50 parliamentarians from right across the political spectrum,’ he said.

‘To back up these efforts, we feel that it is important that there is visible support in the ports, and to that end we have produced a large number of flags, banners and stickers to display on your vessels, fish-markets and wheelhouses. Hopefully, the flags and show of support will be amplified by the media – a picture can tell a story of a thousand words.’

Scotland is facing a ‘no deal Brexit nightmare’ that could seriously damage the fishing industry as well as numerous other business sectors, according to Constitutional Relations Secretary Michael Russell.

His commented follow the publication of the first batch of Technical Notices by the UK government to prepare for leaving the EU without a withdrawal agreement.

‘From the bureaucratic burden that will be imposed on EU imports and exports to the need to strike a wide range of ‘no deal’ deals before the end of March, these notices only add to the uncertainty surrounding Brexit. People want to know if their medication will still be available and farmers and fishermen want to know if they will still be able to sell their products.’

Michael Russell said that the notices also show the UK Government’s ‘no deal’ preparations rely on being able to negotiate bilateral deals, for example to allow continued access to European markets to everything from UK financial services providers and to the Horizon 2020, Erasmus and nuclear research programmes.

‘While a responsible government must prepare for all exit possibilities, the UK Government should rule out a disastrous ‘no deal’ and focus instead on securing the best outcome for us all – which, short of staying in the EU, is remaining part of the Single Market and Customs Union.’